Christmas is coming

[DM79Maryland]

My husband wants to get into beginner leather working 

I want to get him his basic supplies for Christmas. 

 

Can anyone help me with a list of what he needs

[rodneywt1180b]

Hi, Welcome aboard.

A good cutting mat and rulers or straight edges will be necessary no matter what direction he goes with his leather work.

A rotary cutter makes long straight cuts easy.

These are very basic ideas.  Others here will be able to give you better more detailed info.

 

[Ragingstallion]

there are beginner kits on amazon and ebay and such. a basic tool set, a leather working hammer/mallet. a stone slab for tooling on.

[JazzBass]

Folks here can easily recommend high-end tool makers, but this is one area where Tandy Leather might be your best bet.
I'd have to respectfully disagree with @Ragingstallion on this one. Yes there are "great deals", but it's tough for someone who doesn't work with leather to choose tools of reasonable quality via ebay/amazon. You kinda have to know what you want, its quality, and what it should cost.

I think the folks at Tandy can steer you in the right direction - it's nice to be able to go there, talk with someone who knows, and have them recommend something within your price range. From there, your husband will easily be able to add tools on an as-needed basis. Good Luck - GREAT gift idea!!

[Ragingstallion]

12 minutes ago, JazzBass said:

Folks here can easily recommend high-end tool makers, but this is one area where Tandy Leather might be your best bet.
I'd have to respectfully disagree with @Ragingstallion on this one. Yes there are "great deals", but it's tough for someone who doesn't work with leather to choose tools of reasonable quality via ebay/amazon. You kinda have to know what you want, its quality, and what it should cost.

I think the folks at Tandy can steer you in the right direction - it's nice to be able to go there, talk with someone who knows, and have them recommend something within your price range. From there, your husband will easily be able to add tools on an as-needed basis. Good Luck - GREAT gift idea!!

yes, I would agree, though I was not assuming that there was a store in their area, hence my suggestion of online ordering kits. if there is, that would be a great way to start. he can upgrade to what ever tools he would like in the future if it takes hold.

[rodneywt1180b]

After reading these replies I think checking to see if there is a Tandy local to you is a good idea.  Many offer beginner classes.  Something like that so he gets his hands on some leather and tools might be a good way to go.

[JazzBass]

2 minutes ago, rodneywt1180b said:

After reading these replies I think checking to see if there is a Tandy local to you is a good idea.  Many offer beginner classes.  Something like that so he gets his hands on some leather and tools might be a good way to go.

YES!! A gift certificate/membership for a few classes is a great idea, if it's available somewhere reasonably close to you. 

[alpha2]

When I got into this a few years ago, I bought the Elite plan at Tandy, because there are 4 of them in my general area. My first purchase was the Ultimate starter kit. Best money I've spent. The Ultimate kit has a lot of tools that are far superior to Tandy's other tools. If I'd done it on my own, I'd have bought cheaper tools to get by until I upgraded. Big mistake to go that way. Not a day goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars that I went this way. I'd have bought two or three sets of tools by now instead of the Ultimate starter kit. If I'd started with the low cost, beginner tools, I probably would have bailed on the whole leather thing by now. I HAVE upgraded some higher grade stamps, and tools, but most of what was in the kit is still in use on a daily basis. BAD tools are no bargain. Buy once, cry once, as many have said before me. Buying the Elite plan saved me a TON of money over the last few years. But, I go to Tandy more than many others, I guess. Cheyenne store in Wyoming is really close, and the three stores in Denver were very convenient when I was working down there every day. For others, online orders will still give you good deal. The Veterans discount is even better. Now I have a business account, but that is another story. 

Now, as soon as your husband can, start buying leather from anywhere other than Tandy. High prices for crap leather. I bought some from Tandy to practice on, then switched to online vendors of good repute. Far less waste, better leather quality, and better prices. Hope this helps.

Jeff

[Aven]

Do you know what he wants to start with or ultimately make? 

[TomWisc]

Whatever he does, he will need a piece of granite or marble. They can be expensive. I stated leather working a little less than a year ago. I went to a local cabinet/countertop store and got a 1 foot square piece of marble for $10. It was a discontinued pattern sample. They also had smaller granite samples of discontinued product.

[ScoobyNewbie]

A lot of granite countertop places will sell or give you the sink cut out pieces at a good price. It’s just trash to them, gold to us!

Tandy is having a 2.99$ stamp sale right now. It’s a good way to get your basic stamping tools and some fun ones as well on the cheap. Stocking stuffers...